BLIND Paul Mainwaring was viciously attacked by a gang of thugs after he asked for help.

The cowardly yobs battered the 44-year-old to the ground and robbed him. Police believe they targeted him because he was carrying a white stick and would not be able to identify them fully.

Paul, who is completely blind in his left eye and has only 20 per cent vision in the right one, was mugged in Harpurhey, Manchester. He was kicked and punched and had his mobile phone and wallet taken.

He suffered four cracked ribs and cuts and bruises in the savage attack and the vision in his right eye has deteriorated further.

Paul, of Bury, was a high-flying businessman before suffering a stroke last year that severely affected his vision. He graduated from the Skillstep to Success course run by Henshaws Society for Blind People in Old Trafford and was looking forward to starting a new job in Manchester.

He was trying to familiarise himself with the bus route from Bury to Manchester when he got lost in Harpurhey. He was directed to Park View where he was robbed.

"I asked someone if I was on Queens Road and they took me across the road and gave me directions," Paul said.

Gang attack

"I realised in about 20 steps that I wasn't where I should be. Although there were about seven or eight of them when I asked directions, I think about three of them jumped me and started kicking me.

"One of them said 'Don't hurt him, he's blind' when they were beating me. I know I hurt one of them because I hit him with the cane, which is made out of metal and it snapped in half.

"When they had finished kicking me they threatened me with a knife and told me stay on the ground for ten minutes or they would get me."

Dc Andy Dyde, of Greater Manchester Police, described the attack, at 6pm on Saturday, as despicable and cowardly. He said: "I would not totally disagree that he was robbed because he was carrying a white stick.

"One of the robbers who had a north east accent said during the attack 'Don't worry he won't be able to recognise us'. I think it takes street robbery to another level when they target vulnerable people."

Tom Walker, a spokesman for Henshaws, said: "It takes a certain kind of sinister depravity for somebody to think it is acceptable to assault and mug a blind person.

"Attacks of this nature are thankfully rare and people should definitely continue to use their white sticks. If they feel it makes them a target they can get help and advice."

Anyone with any information should contact police on 0161 856 3540 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.